State lawmakers across the country are introducing legislation to support newly confirmed Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s “Make America Healthy Again” platform — and RFK, Jr. just announced his first big move at the federal level.
The Trump administration has launched a massive review of psychiatric medications that are being prescribed to children in growing numbers.
Current CDC data shows a stunning 8 percent of children between ages 5 and 17 received psychiatric medication in 2021.
The rate of young people aged 12-25 prescribed monthly antidepressant skyrocketed by 66.3% between 2016 to 2022. The Trump administration wants to know if that’s actually a good thing — or if it’s causing harm to minors.
Republican Party leaders have hailed Kennedy’s early leadership and praised his major changes in federal health policy that has allowed changes at state levels.
“It took Bobby to get into the position that he is in now for something to happen,” Arizona state Rep. Leo Biasiucci said during a press conference introducing HB 2164, which would ban several food dyes and additives from school lunch programs.
The state-level initiatives follow President Donald Trump’s executive order establishing a Make America Healthy Again Commission, chaired by Kennedy.
The commission must deliver an assessment within 100 days examining “the prevalence of and threat posed by the prescription of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, stimulants, and weight-loss drugs” to minors.
Multiple states including Arizona, Kansas, and Utah are also advancing bills to prohibit junk food from school lunches and federal food assistance programs. Idaho Rep. Jordan Redman cited the new administration while introducing HB 109, which would remove candy and soda from SNAP benefits.
“I think that the chances [of reform] are higher now with the new administration,” Redman said.
Approximately dozen states, including Arkansas, Connecticut, Indiana, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Oregon and Texas, have introduced vaccine-related legislation following Kennedy’s confirmation. The bills address immunization exemptions, vaccine transparency, and manufacturer accountability.
Some medical professionals have expressed concern about the administration’s approach.
“Psychiatric medications are being used because there is a genuine clinical need,” said Cleveland psychiatrist Awais Aftab told The Washington Post. “The response should not be to restrict access to medication but rather to increase access to high-quality clinical care.”
At the federal level, the Senate’s Make America Healthy Again Caucus is preparing legislation focused on nutrition and agriculture reform.
“The MAHA Caucus is ready to get to work with Robert F. Kennedy Jr,” the group posted on X following Kennedy’s confirmation.
The initiatives marked the biggest significant shift in health policy since Kennedy assumed leadership of HHS.
Trump posted on X that Kennedy will “lead a great national mission to MAKE AMERICA HEALTHY AGAIN after he was sworn into office five days ago. Take a look —
"@RobertKennedyJr is going to lead a great national mission to MAKE AMERICA HEALTHY AGAIN… I think he's going to do things that will really make us very proud." –President Donald J. Trump 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/RhP0SU7DFD
— President Donald J. Trump (@POTUS) February 13, 2025